Lions, Commanders initial injury report: Multiple OL miss Wednesday practice

The Detroit Lions (5-3) and Washington Commanders (3-6) will square off in Week 10, and both teams are working through a handful of injuries. While the Lions added a few more names to the injury report this week, they also returned two more players from their injury lists on Wednesday.

Let’s take a look at the latest injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from the last injury report will be bolded.

Injured list updates

The Lions added one player to injured reserve, Christian Mahogany, as expected. Fortunately, as Campbell noted on Monday, the second-year lineman is dealing with a broken bone, not a ligament issue, which could open the door for him to return later this season.

“For what the injury is—it’s a broken bone—relative to injuries, that’s a good thing,” Campbell explained. “I think, will heal up; it’ll be stronger than it was before.”

Additionally, they returned two more players to practice this week, starting the injury evaluation clocks on rookie offensive lineman Miles Frazier and veteran edge rusher Josh Paschal. They join linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez and safety Daniel Thomas on the path to recovery, as both started their injury evaluations last week.

No practice

  • RT Penei Sewell (shoulder) — New injury
  • LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
  • OT Dan Skipper (back) — New injury
  • DL Pat O’Connor (knee) — New injury
  • S Kerby Joseph (knee)

The Lions’ offensive line suffered multiple injuries in Week 9, and while all but Mahogany finished the game, they’re starting by resting several players. Sewell appeared to suffer a shoulder injury during the game, was taken to the locker room with trainers, but returned to the game before the next series and did not miss a snap. Decker missed 10 snaps with a knee injury (note: it’s not listed as a current injury), and with him nursing a shoulder injury since the beginning of the season, his practice schedule will likely be very light this week.

“Nothing sounds long-term, which is good. It’s good news,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Sewell and Decker on Monday. “I think it’s more about, are they going to be able to practice this week, and are they going to be able to play this week? But nothing beyond that, I don’t feel like, as of right now.”

Skipper and O’Connor did not appear to suffer injuries during the game, so their absence from practice was a bit unexpected. We’ll have to wait for more information on their status as the week progresses.

Joseph continues to deal with a knee injury that is lingering longer than the staff expected. He continues to miss practice, and could be headed for another missed game, as the Lions are not going to rush him back and risk his availability later in the season.

Limited practice

  • RB Craig Reynolds (hamstring) — Upgraded, return to practice
  • RB Jacob Saylors (back) — New injury
  • G Miles Frazier (knee, still on PUP) — Days remaining in evaluation: 20
  • EDGE Josh Paschal (back, still on NFI) — Days remaining in evaluation: 20
  • LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ACL, still on PUP) — Days remaining in evaluation: 12
  • LB Grant Stewart (foot) — New injury

Reynolds was back on the practice field after missing Weeks 7 and 9 with a hamstring injury. The Lions have taken things slowly this season with hamstring injuries, but this is a sign that he’s making progress.

Frazier and Paschal started their injury evaluation clocks this week, both finding the practice field earlier than the most recent projections. Neither has practiced since before training camp, meaning they’ll surely take some time to acclimate to football, so don’t expect them to return to the active roster this week, and maybe not next either. Still, this is terrific progress, and both could give the Lions a boost in the trenches.

Rodriguez has been practicing for a week now, but could still be another week away, as some reports suggest he’s targeting returning in Week 11.

Saylors and Stuard did not appear to suffer injuries in Week 9 that required their removal from the game. Their addition to the injury list could be due to a lingering issue that surfaced after the game, or something that happened at practice on Wednesday. If their injuries were a result of an injury from the game, they’ll have a good chance to return this week. However, if their injury occurred during practice, the outlook is a bit more challenging, as mid-week injuries often cost players the upcoming game.

Full Practice

  • LB Ty Summers (hand) — New injury
  • CB Terrion Arnold (shoulder, back) — New injury
  • S Daniel Thomas (forearm, still on IR) — UPGRADED — Days remaining in evaluation: 11

Summers, who was just signed off the Lions’ practice squad, was injured on special teams in Week 9. He only exited for a brief time and was able to finish the game. That, combined with a full practice this week, is a good sign he should be back in the Lions LB6 role in Week 10.

Arnold returned from a shoulder injury last week only to suffer a back injury that cost him a couple of snaps. He played the majority of snaps and even secured his first career interception. He’s worth keeping an eye on, but he looks to be in a good spot.

Thomas returned to practice just over a week ago and was listed as questionable last week, indicating he was close to returning. A full practice on Wednesday further suggests he could return to games as early as this Sunday.

No longer on the injury report

  • RB Sione Vaki (groin)
  • RG Tate Ratledge (shoulder) — Injured in Week 9
  • EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (hamstring)
  • DB Avonte Maddox (hamstring)

Vaki returned to practice last week and played a full complement of snaps in Week 9. He talked with Pride of Detroit in the locker room following the game and said he believed he’s hopeful that he’s put the injury behind him and will be good moving forward.

Ratledge missed a small handful of snaps in Week 9, but of the injured offensive linemen, he appears to have escaped with the least concern.

Muhammad’s hamstring injury has kept him under observation for the last few weeks, but he hasn’t been limited much, if at all, in games. He’s progressing nicely and appears close to full health.

Maddox returned to practice last week and was able to play on special teams in Week 9. Hamstring injuries can linger, so trainers will likely keep an eye on him as he progresses.

Commanders’ initial injury report

Note: Starters are bolded.

Did not participate

  • QB Jayden Daniels (left elbow)
  • WR Terry McLaurin (quad)
  • TE Zach Ertz (rest)
  • LT Laremy Tunsil (hamstring/rest)
  • EDGE Von Miller (rest)
  • S Quan Martin (hamstring)
  • S Tyler Owens (hip)

Limited

  • RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (tooth)
  • TE Colston Yankoff (hamstring)
  • DT Jer’Zhan Newton (ankle)
  • DT Eddie Goldman (concussion)
  • CB Trey Amos (hip)

Full practice

  • LB Bobby Wagner (thumb)

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